Daddy versus daddy

[Erlikkhan]

I recently discovered a new capitalization rule from an editor I used for a non-fiction book. The following sentence would go thus:

"My daddy has a great big ego, but Daddy always changes the subject when I ask him about it."

Apparently words like mom, dad, uncle, brother, etc, are capitalized when used in place of a name, but not capitalized when preceded by a pronoun. So during sex it would be:

"Who's your daddy? Who's your daddy"

or

"Harder Daddy, harder."

Go figure...

 

[Dianthus]

I recently discovered a new capitalization rule from an editor I used for a non-fiction book. The following sentence would go thus:

"My daddy has a great big ego, but Daddy always changes the subject when I ask him about it."

Apparently words like mom, dad, uncle, brother, etc, are capitalized when used in place of a name, but not capitalized when preceded by a pronoun. So during sex it would be:

"Who's your daddy? Who's your daddy"

or

"Harder Daddy, harder."

Go figure...

A power dynamic can sometimes confer a capitalization where none is grammatically required.

So, "Who's your Daddy?" becomes a D/s or DD/lg convention, rather than using the rule with the pronoun.

Go figure...

 

[ElectricBlue]

Daddy is the name he's been given in the relationship, and in that regard, it's no different to Jimmy, hence the capitalisation. Same way I'd talk about my mum, but when addressing her, she was always Mum.

 

[SimonDoom]

It's not that strange. You capitalize when the word is a substitute for addressing or referring to someone that might otherwise be referred to using a name, which of course would be capitalized. But in other contexts the word "daddy" is just a word describing a relation, like "aunt" or "uncle" or "son" or father." None of those uses require capitalization.

"I said "hi" to my daddy."

"Hi Daddy!" I said.

 

[yukonnights]

What about endearments then? Would 'baby' become 'Baby' in direct dialogue? There are a number of such words, honey, sweetheart, sugar, etc.

 

[SimonDoom]

What about endearments then? Would 'baby' become 'Baby' in direct dialogue? There are a number of such words, honey, sweetheart, sugar, etc.

No. Endearments are not capitalized. "Mom" and "Dad" and variants are capitalized because they function not as endearments but as substitutes for names.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

No. Endearments are not capitalized. "Mom" and "Dad" and variants are capitalized because they function not as endearments but as substitutes for names.

Not capitalized if used in reference as endearments, but in direct address, they become "pet names," not references, and should be capitalized as such.

 

[Voboy]

I don’t think this is new.

I’ve been writing for a few decades, and the OP’s “new rule” is how I’ve always done it. Seems intuitive to me.

 

[KeithD]

I don’t think this is new.

I’ve been writing for a few decades, and the OP’s “new rule” is how I’ve always done it. Seems intuitive to me.

No, it's not new.

 

[yukonnights]

No. Endearments are not capitalized. "Mom" and "Dad" and variants are capitalized because they function not as endearments but as substitutes for names.

Not capitalized if used in reference as endearments, but in direct address, they become "pet names," not references, and should be capitalized as such.

Okay, now it's clear It seems logical to me that Narratore's take is more consistent. In dialogue, pet names can become stand-ins for that person's given name. I've never capitalized these, but it does seem logical.

I wonder how many readers will comment telling me I'm wrong to capitalize Babe

 

[SimonDoom]

Okay, now it's clear It seems logical to me that Narratore's take is more consistent. In dialogue, pet names can become stand-ins for that person's given name. I've never capitalized these, but it does seem logical.

I wonder how many readers will comment telling me I'm wrong to capitalize Babe

Anything can be a nickname. If your story establishes that character A calls character B "Babe" or "Honey" or "Babycakes" as a kind of nickname, then it can be capitalized. But if it doesn't, then it's just a term of endearment. In that case, terms like "dear", "honey", "baby", etc. are better off not being capitalized, even if used in direct address to the character.

My guess is that in most short stories, the author will not have established that the use of a term of endearment is akin to a nickname. Most of the time, then, you probably are better off NOT capitalizing those terms.

 

[KeithD]

Anything can be a nickname. If your story establishes that character A calls character B "Babe" or "Honey" or "Babycakes" as a kind of nickname, then it can be capitalized. But if it doesn't, then it's just a term of endearment. In that case, terms like "dear", "honey", "baby", etc. are better off not being capitalized, even if used in direct address to the character.

My guess is that in most short stories, the author will not have established that the use of a term of endearment is akin to a nickname. Most of the time, then, you probably are better off NOT capitalizing those terms.

As with many issues, the most important thing to do with this is to be consistent across your work. I find it very difficult to do so on this particular point.

 

[Erlikkhan]

A power dynamic can sometimes confer a capitalization where none is grammatically required.

So, "Who's your Daddy?" becomes a D/s or DD/lg convention, rather than using the rule with the pronoun.

Go figure...

There are certainly a lot of Ds and DDs in my stories...

Thanks to everyone for all the comments/clarifications. As usual, I'm late to the party. Grammar never was my strength, but I could diagram the hell out of a sentence!